Overview
Join American expats, Megan and Ryan, in Spain’s 3rd largest city to experience life abroad. Stay in a stylishly refurbished classic Spanish flat within their historic city center neighborhood, El Carmen. Shop at the local market and enjoy hosted breakfasts, lunches, tapas, drinks and dinners at all of their favorite restaurants. Participate in activities and experiences with personal contacts and friends, many of which are not available to the public.
Take a crash course in Spanish while sipping horchata or sangria. Visit Albufera Natural Park for a quiet boat ride through the rice fields, then transform local "bomba" rice into famous Valencian Paella at a nearby cooking school. Meet with a local Fallera to learn about the city’s annual (insane and amazing) festival, Las Fallas, when 30-foot high ornate statues are constructed each year before being burnt to the ground after a three-day, city-wide party. Learn about Valencia’s up-and-coming craft beer scene with a visit to a local microbrewery or visit a winery in the nearby Requena region. Ride bicycles through the Turia, a 5.5-mile long riverbed-turned park before having a picnic in the Spanish sun.
Throughout your trip, Megan and Ryan will meet you to answer questions, provide restaurant recommendations and must-see historic sights, show you the local markets to buy your food, and introduce you to activity partners and friends. By the end of your trip, you’ll have a deeper understanding of Valencia and what daily life is like as an expat in Spain.
*See Megan & Ryan in Valencia on HGTV’s Househunters International, airing on April 27, 2018.
Take a crash course in Spanish while sipping horchata or sangria. Visit Albufera Natural Park for a quiet boat ride through the rice fields, then transform local "bomba" rice into famous Valencian Paella at a nearby cooking school. Meet with a local Fallera to learn about the city’s annual (insane and amazing) festival, Las Fallas, when 30-foot high ornate statues are constructed each year before being burnt to the ground after a three-day, city-wide party. Learn about Valencia’s up-and-coming craft beer scene with a visit to a local microbrewery or visit a winery in the nearby Requena region. Ride bicycles through the Turia, a 5.5-mile long riverbed-turned park before having a picnic in the Spanish sun.
Throughout your trip, Megan and Ryan will meet you to answer questions, provide restaurant recommendations and must-see historic sights, show you the local markets to buy your food, and introduce you to activity partners and friends. By the end of your trip, you’ll have a deeper understanding of Valencia and what daily life is like as an expat in Spain.
*See Megan & Ryan in Valencia on HGTV’s Househunters International, airing on April 27, 2018.
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Details
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Itinerary
- Day 1: Arrive in Valencia & check-in to your classic Spanish flat in the heart of El Carmen. Meet with your hosts, Ryan & Megan for coffee or a drink, before they take you on a private walking tour of the city. During the walk we'll stop at Mercado Central and their favorite bodega to pick up some amazing local wine, cheese, fruits, and vegetables for your stay.
- Day 2: One of the best ways to understand local cultures is to speak the language, so, it's time for class! To ensure this is a pleasurable experience, Megan & Ryan have partnered with their favorite local Spanish school to create a custom, private “Intro to Castellano” Spanish crash course which you'll take while sipping on some delicious Sangria.
- Day 3: In the morning, meet up with Ryan & Megan at one of their favorite breakfast spots to ask questions, or just chat about how everything's going so far! The rest of your day is free to explore and enjoy the warm Spanish sun!
- Day 4: Continue to delve into the local culture by learning to cook paella at a traditional Valencian Paella workshop. Start with a visit to Mercado Central to meet local vendors and buy ingredients, then head back to the cooking school to make the paella. Finally, enjoy the fruits of your "hard" labor by enjoying a delicious paella lunch accompanied by some incredible local wine.
- Day 5: Explore the city's coolest areas and taste its best food on a Valencian neighborhood tapas & wine tour provided by one of our trusted partners.
- Day 6: Private visit to a traditional Valencian “Casal” to learn more about the famous Valencian spring festival, Fallas, and see how an award-winning Falla is constructed.
- Day 7: Now that you're a week into your Valencian expat life, it's time you do as the locals do and have a picnic in the beautiful Jardines del Turia. We'll put together everything you need for a relaxing afternoon in Valencia's beautiful & tranquil city park.
- Day 8: Enjoy a private beer tour and tasting at a local microbrewery or a wine tasting excursion to the famous wine growing region just east of the city.
- Day 9: Free day to explore the city, go to the beach, or use your city sightseeing pass to visit a local museum.
- Day 10: Guided visit to Albufera Natural Park, just south of the city, for a quiet boat ride through the natural wetlands and surrounding rice fields to learn about the natural history of the area and see how the rice (used in Paella) is grown.
- Day 11: Your last day in Valencia. Meet with Ryan & Megan for a coffee or drink. before heading off to your next destination!
Although noted on specific days, Megan & Ryan are available to meet you as much, or as little as you'd like during your stay in Valencia
Included
- 10 nights, 11 days at a stylishly refurbished, classic Spanish flat in historical El Carmen
- This is a hosted trip, including opportunities to meet with Ryan & Megan throughout your trip
- Private walking tour of the city, including stops Mercado Central and a bodega (wine shop) to pick up the some amazing local wine, cheese, fruits, and vegetables (*wine & food included in price)
- “Intro to Castellano” crash course in Spanish with local Valencian Horchata or Sangria
- Traditional Valencian Paella Workshop & Lunch with a visit to Mercado Central to meet local vendors and buy ingredients you'll use to make the paella
- Valencian neighborhood tapas & wine tour provided by one of our trusted partners
- Private visit to a traditional Valencian “Casal” to learn more about the famous Valencian spring festival, Fallas
- Organized picnic in the beautiful Jardines del Turia (includes all picnic accessories, food & wine, etc.)
- Private beer tour and tasting at a local microbrewery or wine tasting excursion to the famous wine growing region just east of the city
- Guided visit to Albufera Natural Park, just south of the city, for a quiet boat ride through the natural wetlands and surrounding rice fields
- 3-day Valencia city sightseeing and transportation card with free and discounted entry to museums and historic landmarks
- Dinner at Megan & Ryan's favorite restaurant, drinks & tapas on the patio at their favorite local bar, and breakfast at their favorite cafe
- Wine tasting & visit to the best local wine shops (including two bottles of the best local wine)
- Locally made, artisanal Spanish goods from our favorite shops in Ciutat Vella
- Bicycles for all guests, provided for your entire stay in Valencia
Not included
- Airfare from/to your departure destination (if you would like to include airfare, please let us know!)
- Meals and activities not mentioned in the above itinerary and/or description
Additional Details
Eat (Restaurants, cafes & more)
Your Live Like an Expat: Valencia trip includes store credit and/or gift cards to our favorite local restaurants, cafes, and shops. We’ll also include a detailed guide to our favorite restaurants, cafes, bars, bakeries, shops and other go-to spots for anything you might need while in Valencia.
See (Sights)
Established in Roman times, Valencia is home to both historic and contemporary buildings, as well as multiple beaches and a 10 km-long park. We’ll give you a list of not-to-miss sights, as well as a custom Google map that you can download on your phone.
Go (Transportation)
Valencia is a small city that can easily be navigated on foot, by bicycle, on the metro, or by taking a (cheap) taxi. If you need an airport transfer or would like a rental car to explore the surrounding area, we will be happy to arrange this for you.
Your Live Like an Expat: Valencia trip includes store credit and/or gift cards to our favorite local restaurants, cafes, and shops. We’ll also include a detailed guide to our favorite restaurants, cafes, bars, bakeries, shops and other go-to spots for anything you might need while in Valencia.
See (Sights)
Established in Roman times, Valencia is home to both historic and contemporary buildings, as well as multiple beaches and a 10 km-long park. We’ll give you a list of not-to-miss sights, as well as a custom Google map that you can download on your phone.
Go (Transportation)
Valencia is a small city that can easily be navigated on foot, by bicycle, on the metro, or by taking a (cheap) taxi. If you need an airport transfer or would like a rental car to explore the surrounding area, we will be happy to arrange this for you.
Customization
- Combine with our Andalucia or Spanish Mediterranean Cohica Designed Trips to visit Seville, Granada, & Cordoba or Barcelona & Ibiza
- This is a fully customizable package - add, subtract, change anything you want
- Apartment upgrades and changes available upon request
- Please note that changes to the package may result in a change of price to the overall trip
> $2,045 per person
> When booking, please indicate number of travelers and preferred travel dates
> When booking, please indicate number of travelers and preferred travel dates
